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Nemacolin Woodlands Resort — Falling Rock

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Inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, the boutique Falling Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort takes its cues from nearby Fallingwater, one Wright’s most famous architectural works, designed in 1936. Everything from the lampshades to wastebaskets was carefully thought out by architectural designer David Merritt, who had the task of bringing Falling Rock to life, inside and out.

Anyone who is a fan of Wright’s work will thrill to the geometric patterns, natural stonework and every other intricate detail that Merritt incorporated into the hotel. And while guests never have to leave Falling Rock, which has its own gourmet restaurant, fitness room, hot tub and heated outdoor infinity pool, they do have access to all the amenities and activities Nemacolin Woodlands Resort offers.

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Our Inspector's Highlights

• While Falling Rock itself is a small hotel, the resort it sits on is huge. Located in the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Nemacolin covers some 2,000 acres.

• On the property, you will find a spa, holistic center, zip lines, a ropes course, a bowling alley, golf courses, a casino and several restaurants, including the lauded Lautrec, plus numerous bars and pools.

• Of course, Wright aficionados will want to visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob houses, both less than half an hour away.

• A big draw for golfers is that the hotel is located at the 18th hole of the Mystic Rock golf course and is home to its 50,000-square-foot clubhouse.

Things to Know

• A fleet of complimentary shuttles is available to take you anywhere on the property.

• The Sunset Terrace, with its triangular infinity pool, is an ideal place to watch the sun set and appreciate the natural setting, as is the 18th green.

• It’s definitely worth the time to explore the amazing art collection that Joe Hardy, the founder of the resort, has amassed—the outdoor sculpture collection alone includes more than 100 pieces.

• Don’t miss the $3 million Tiffany lamp collection or the piece of the Berlin Wall on display. All total, the entire art collection is valued at more than $50 million.

The Rooms

• Every room and suite (and there are only 42 total) is outfitted with a 200-gallon soaking bathtub, stand-alone European-style showers, and 1,200-thread-count sheets.

• The 24-hour butler service always makes a big impression at Falling Rock and it is standard for all rooms.

• The butlers will do anything from drawing you a bath to helping choose just the right option from a pillow menu with 10 different choices.

• Each night, there’s a welcome milk and cookie turndown—you can even specify what kind of cookie.

The Look

• Frank Lloyd Wright coined the term “organic architecture” to refer to a style reflecting nature, which has very carefully been adhered to at Falling Rock.

• From its natural stone exterior to the geometric designs in the lighting fixtures, there’s no mistaking what the hotel is meant to evoke and who it is meant to honor.

• A triangle is used to represent the “rock” in Falling Rock, so throughout the luxury hotel, triangles can be seen everywhere in the designs.

• Nemacolin is named for Chief Nemacolin, a Delaware Indian who was a prominent figure in the area, and to acknowledge him and the original inhabitants of the area, there are four 27-foot-tall sculptures which are incorporated into the hotel’s structure.

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